History of the church in Kuantan - 4. Serving on the Malacca Branch Presidency

History of the church in Kuantan

4. Serving on the Malacca Branch Presidency (2007)

I was called and set apart as the 1st Counselor on the Malacca Branch Presidency on Sunday 14th January, 2007.

We alternated between travelling to Malacca for church and having church at home in Kuantan. We also held regular Family Home Evenings on Monday nights with Raymond and Nina.

On Sunday 1st April, 2007, after travelling 5 hours by bus the previous day, and in the absence of the Branch President and 2nd counselor, I conducted sacrament meeting and taught both Sunday School and Priesthood lessons. Then I had a missionary correlation meeting with Elder Freeman and Elder Pierson, the first they had had for several months.

This was a time of great learning for me. I was in positions I had never been in before. Handling church affairs on the Malacca Branch Presidency, dealing with 40 English students for my work, and learning how to be a good husband during our first year of marriage. It was a struggle, but we were also blessed in so many ways. We had determined to pay a full tithe, and we were immediately blessed with greater security in our work, along with spiritual blessings of faith, testimony and desire.

On Sunday 22nd April, 2007, I set Fidelia apart as the 2nd Counselor in the Melaka Branch Relief Society Presidency.

On Sunday 6th May, 2007, I confirmed Sister Vikneswary a member of the church in the Malacca Branch.

Visit to Ipoh

From 11th - 14th May, 2007, Fidleia and I went to Ipoh to re-visit my old mission area and church members. We had dinner at the Kumar’s house. Their oldest son, Kelvin, was at that time serving his mission in the Kuching 1st branch. We stayed with Hong Soon Yap during these few days. I had the pleasure of teaching and baptising him in 2004, and now he is serving as the Ipoh Branch President!

On 2nd - 3rd June, 2007, we travelled to KL for the Priesthood Leadership Meeting, and KL District Conference.

In the Priesthood meeting, Elder Hallstrom, First Counselor on the Asia Area Presidency, spoke, along with President Skelton, Singapore Mission President.

On Friday 15th June, 2007, we learned that Fidelia was pregnant! What a surprise and a shock that was. She had been vomiting on and off for the past couple of weeks. A few months later, we would discover that it’s a girl.

In August 2007, Brother Raymond went to China, where he would stay for several months. That brought an unfortunate end to our travels to Malacca and our service there, as we were dependent on him driving us. We were both released as counselors on the Malacca Branch Presidency on 26th August, 2007. His wife, Nina, was also pregnant, so long-distance journeys were off.

My 2nd Spiritual Renaissance

In September and October 2007, I had my second spiritual renaissance (the first being my mission). In my journal, I recorded: “I have drawn nearer to my Father in heaven and Jesus Christ. I have spent many busy hours studying the scriptures and praying for knowledge and understanding. And step by step it has come and illuminated my soul.” I further commented, “I’ve experienced somewhat of a spiritual renewal, an opening of my mind and an awakening of my spiritual senses. I have felt sudden sparks of understanding to my mind, flashes of light and truth, and an in-pouring of knowledge which has all caused me to see a far wider, panoramic picture of life and eternity.”

My Vision of a Future Branch in Kuantan

On Saturday 17th November, 2007, I had the following vision, recorded in my journal: